India Makes it to Women's WC Semis with 53-run Victory Over NZ

By: WE Staff | Friday, 24 October 2025

• India reached the semifinals with a 53-run (DLS) victory against New Zealand in ICC Women's ODI World Cup
• Mandhana, Rawal and Rodrigues led India to 340/3
• 81 by Halliday was not sufficient as New Zealand came up short at 271/8

Half-centuries by Brooke Halliday and Isabella Gaze were in vain as New Zealand lost to a 53-run margin under the DLS Method after a rain-affected Match 24 of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup. The win booked India's spot in the semifinals.

Batting first, India put up a dominant show to reach 340/3 in 49 overs. Smriti Mandhana took the lead with a stylish 109 off 95 balls, while Pratika Rawal stabilized the innings with a solid 122 off 134 balls. Jemimah Rodrigues chipped in with late accelerations, hammering an unbeaten 76 off a mere 55 balls to take the total out of New Zealand's reach.

The play was interrupted twice by rain. The play was halted after the 48th over of India's innings, resulting in a one-hour delay as there were wet patches on the outfield and cutting the game into 49 overs. A second rain break during the mid-innings break further cut the contest to 44 overs per side, with New Zealand given a revised target of 325 runs.

Pursuing the tough target, New Zealand's innings never really got going. Kranti Gaud struck in the second over itself, sending opener Suzie Bates back for a score of only 1. Georgia Plimmer (30) and Amelia Kerr (45) did stabilize the innings briefly in the powerplay, scoring some lusty runs. Kerr did look to assert herself with two consecutive boundaries off Renuka Singh and a huge six off Sneh Rana, but Renuka got her out too, ending the resistance.

Skipper Sophie Devine, who was playing her last World Cup, was bowled by Renuka Singh for 6, with New Zealand reeling at 59/3. Brooke Halliday batted courageously with an 84-ball 81, while Gaze added a foughtful cameo at the lower order. India's tight fielding and disciplined bowling, though, kept New Zealand down to 271/8 off 44 overs.

With this clinical victory, India maintained their rampage in the tournament, qualifying for the semifinals and sending a bold statement to their competitors.